Hulu

Cartoon Network USA To Launch On New Hulu Live Stream Service

Time Warner (the ultimate parent company of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang via Turner) has announced today that the company has acquired a 10% stake in Hulu, a USA based premium streaming video on-demand TV service owned by a consortium of Hollywood’s biggest media firms such as The Walt Disney Company (Disney/ABC), 21st Century Fox (20th Century Fox/Fox Broadcasting) and Comcast (Universal/NBC).

With Time Warner now owning a part of Hulu, it was announced that live streams of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang will be distributed on Hulu’s new live TV streaming service (including other Turner networks – TNT, TBS, CNN, truTV and TCM) which is due to be launched in early 2017. Back in April 2015, Hulu signed a multi-year streaming deal with Turner for full seasons of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network shows including Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ben 10, Robot Chicken, The Venture Bros, Adventure Time and Regular Show. The new Time Warner/Hulu partnership will expand upon the current deal with Turner.

The new live TV streaming will feature an intuitive interface with personalisation options and access to live and on-demand content, subscribers will be able to use the new service on compatible living room and mobile devices and there will be no set-up and installation costs. Hulu is the only streaming subscription service that offers the latest TV episodes from five out of the six largest broadcasters in the United States. Presently, Hulu provides a discounted VOD service with limited commercials for $7.99 per month and a completely ad-free subscription for $11.99 per month.

From The Time Warner Press Release

Time Warner Inc. and Hulu LLC announced today that Time Warner will become a 10% owner of Hulu, the premium streaming TV service that offers the best of current season programming, premium original content, films and full seasons of hit series. Time Warner joins The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, and Comcast in the joint venture.

The investment in Hulu reflects Time Warner’s continued commitment to supporting innovative digital services that allow consumers to access high-quality content however they want it across a variety of platforms.

It was also announced that Turner’s powerful entertainment, sports, news and kids networks including TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies will be available live and on-demand on Hulu’s new live-streaming service, which is slated to launch early next year. With no set-up costs or installation, Hulu’s new service will offer an intuitive and personalized interface, and instant access to live and on-demand content, across hundreds of living room and mobile devices.

Hulu will continue its current offering of ad-supported and ad-free subscription video on demand products to complement both traditional pay TV packages as well as the new streaming service. The company also remains focused on acquiring iconic and award-winning programming like Empire, Homeland, Seinfeld, Curious George, South Park and Fear The Walking Dead, as well as creating original programming that builds upon its success with shows such as The Mindy Project, The Path, Difficult People, 11.22.63 and the Golden Globe® -nominated Casual.

Jeff Bewkes, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner said, “Our investment in Hulu underscores Time Warner’s commitment to supporting and developing new platforms for the delivery of high-quality content and great consumer experiences to audiences around the globe.” Mr. Bewkes continued: “We’re also excited to join Hulu’s other owners in launching a new consumer-friendly package featuring leading networks that will deliver more value to audiences and complement Hulu’s core SVOD offerings. The inclusion of Turner’s networks in Hulu’s new streaming service furthers our efforts to allow consumers to engage with and enjoy our brands across a wide range of platforms and services.”

Mike Hopkins, CEO of Hulu, said, “This investment from Time Warner marks a major step for Hulu as we continue to redefine television for both consumers and advertisers. Our two companies have long enjoyed a productive relationship – which includes the availability of past seasons of popular Turner shows on our current SVOD offerings – and we are very proud that Turner’s networks will be included in our planned live streaming service.”

About Hulu

Hulu is a premium streaming TV destination that offers hundreds of thousands of hours of the best of current season programming, premium original content, films and full seasons of hit series to subscribers with limited commercials for $7.99 per month or commercial free for $11.99 per month. Hulu is the only streaming subscription service that offers current season content from 5 of the 6 largest U.S. broadcast networks, as well as acclaimed Hulu Originals. Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has been at the forefront of entertainment and technology and continues to redefine TV by connecting viewers with the stories they love.

Today (22/04/2015), it was announced that the internet streaming service Hulu in the United States has signed a multi-year content agreement with Turner Broadcasting System for shows made by Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, TBS and TNT.

As part of the deal, full prior seasons of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network series such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ben 10, as well as Robot Chicken, The Venture Bros, Adventure Time and Regular Show will be available to stream exclusively to Hulu subscribers for the first time. The deal also includes video streaming rights to Adult Swim and Cartoon Network classics, including Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Sealab 2021, and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. The agreement also allows Hulu to obtain exclusive SVOD rights to certain future series that will launch on TNT, TBS, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network over the coming years.

David Levy, president of Turner Broadcasting made this statement in regards of the Hulu and Turner content deal.

“This deal with Hulu demonstrates the power of Turner Broadcasting’s branded networks and the high demand for our programming in the marketplace. This is a great opportunity to grow the reach of the networks’ original programming and complements our strategy of utilizing multiple platforms – including SVOD – to drive sampling, introduce new viewers to our content and give current fans the opportunity to explore and enjoy Turner’s new and existing series in a branded environment.”

Craig Erwich, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Hulu also made this statement in regards of the agreement.

“The addition of multiple titles from Cartoon Network represents a significant step forward in continuing to build a strong programming offering for the kids audience on Hulu, The adult animation series from Adult Swim, as well as the additional series from TNT and TBS, are a perfect addition to our current offering.”